Northern Ireland may continue to lack a devolved government at Stormont, but local councils have continued to function as normal. Ahead of the local government elections on 2nd May, Northern Slant wants to give our readers the opportunity to (virtually) meet candidates from across the political spectrum. The one thing they have in common is that none of them have been elected before. In today’s interview Michael Avila speaks to Gary English, the Alliance Party’s candidate to represent Ballyclare on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.

 

Hi Gary. So, tell us a bit about yourself. What did you do before entering politics?

Well, I was married at 18. Children we were! We then had three girls. What can I say, life was good. Like most young marriages, we were still finding ourselves in those early years. But once past this stage our relationship has got better year after year. I love Gillian and my family and feel blessed.

I started breaking cars with my brother, Philip. When we started, car breaking had the perception of being unsavoury. I was aware of this and I sought to better its reputation. And we succeeded! I sold the business to a national company in 2003 and semi-retired.

 

What was it that attracted you to politics?

Now, I never thought I’d do politics. I was always apolitical and never had too much interest in it. I always viewed politics as a necessary evil. It was only later when I had more time on my hands that I started looking at politics.

I detest the lack of respect and tolerance many of our politicians display – the sectarian head count at Stormont plays into the divide and rules mentality. Also, our elected representatives appear to do as they please with impunity.

This is going to sound crazy, but I don’t see any difference between unionists and nationalists. This extends past politics locally. I don’t see why we should divide ourselves into boxes based on religion, ethnicity or culture. We all do the same things every day. We have a shared history. We have been intermingling since day one. What’s good for a Protestant farmer is good for a Catholic farmer. Some people say, “Oh, well that’s sitting on the fence.” There isn’t a fence! Accept for the one that some people build in their heads. We all struggle. We all go to work. We all feed our kids. So what is the difference, really? I think politicians stir up division to fuel their own agendas.

 

Why was it that you found your political home in Alliance?

Well, it is certainly ironic that I am now running for office. There was a moment in my life which motivated me politically for the first time.

The DUP had banned a play that was coming to the Theatre at the Mill called, The Bible. It was put on by the Reduced Shakespeare Company. I remember thinking, “I usually don’t bother with politics, but these people are dictating what play I can and cannot see. That doesn’t seem right.”

So, I started looking at parties and considering which one best fits my views. Alliance naturally became my home. The best thing I’ve ever done! I’m not just saying that because I’m running for them. Being part of an inclusive party allows me to advocate for the changes I truly want to see with people from a multitude of different backgrounds.

 

Who do you look up to?

That’s an easy one, my Dad. He has given me so much. Above all, he has given me the confidence in myself to question everything – even my own thoughts and ideas – and to do what’s right. He also gave me the opportunity to start my business and was always there when I fell. I have nothing but gratitude for his influence and direction.

 

How do you feel about this next generation?

They are great. All the young people I talk to are switched on. And the great thing is, they are not sectarian.

I actually think the voting age should be reduced to 16 years old. If you’re old enough to fight for your country, you’re old enough to vote. I don’t think young people have a strong enough voice and they should be the people we are listening to.

 

Let’s move on to some of the issues. What can be done to fix low wages in Northern Ireland?

UK wages outside of London are atrocious. We could stop using wage freezes to control inflation, for a start. We currently have the highest in-work poverty in history. No one who works should be in poverty! It takes public sector wage increase to drive wages up. Something needs to be done to address wages in this country, as everyone from people coming out of PhDs, to engineers, to the service sector are not receiving the same compensation as our neighbours in Western Europe.

 

And what about the environment?

We’re nothing without it and we don’t do enough to protect it. When I was running my business, we utilised technology and adopted ethical waste and recycling practises. It was important to me to not only create a thriving business, but also to go about it ethically and conscientiously.

I don’t think business and protecting the environment have to be mutually exclusive. Part of my business was combatting this ‘throw away’ society. I like to see us restoring what we have rather than casting it aside and contributing to more waste. That is the mark of efficiency!

 

In Northern Ireland the constitutional issue can dominate elections. What’s your view on it?

I am glad that we have come to an agreement – the Good Friday Agreement – that takes this issue out of politics. We the people will decide our own future, not governments or political parties. But, weirdly that’s what almost every election is fought over. Why can’t ‘bread and butter’ issues come to the forefront? Why can’t we tackle low wages and provide more opportunities for our young people, instead of thrusting them back into the same, dysfunctional political environment we grew up in.

For me, pragmatism and what is best for society rules out on this issue, which is why I like Alliance’s approach to it.

 

Tell us about Ballyclare. Why are you hoping to represent it on Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council?

Ballyclare is a great place to live. It’s far enough out of Belfast that you feel like you’re in the country, yet close enough to commute. It has so much potential.

I think my knowledge, insight and energy will be a breath of fresh air and I will be an asset to the Ballyclare team of councillors. A benefit to our political scene would be if more people were elected based on their accomplishments and know-how, rather than under a banner or flag.

 

What sums up your pitch to voters?

I think, perhaps, one of the things people in Northern Ireland are not good at is selling themselves. I’m desperate at it, because I honestly don’t think I’m any better than anyone else. But, I can tell you one thing, I’m here to work. I’m here to be pragmatic and find solutions that improve Ballyclare.

It is evidence-based decisions that I want to take. I certainly understand that politics is an emotional game, but that game is fractured. No assembly in two years – that’s atrocious. It’s an insult to voters. It seems NI politicians think debate and negotiation is about victory rather than progress, which is why Northern Ireland struggles to move forward.

If the good people of Ballyclare are after a problem solver and someone willing to roll their sleeves up to make things happen for our town, then I’m your man!

 

Voting will be open on Thursday 2nd May between 7am and 10pm. You can find the full list of candidates standing in each council area on the Electoral Office website here. No matter your persuasion, we encourage you to weigh up the options and head to the voting booth on 2nd May. Make your voice heard.

Check out the rest of our #MeetTheCandidate series here, featuring interviews with candidates standing for the UUP, the SDLP and the Green Party. We also approached candidates standing for the DUP and Sinn Féin, but they did not take up our invitation to participate.